Chitosan was first discovered and used in the process of pollution control (like that Exxon oil spill.) There are oodles of scientific studies and papers on this product for all kinds of health challenges as well as pollution control challenges, but when I ask my clients if they have ever heard of Chitosan for their cholesterol, high blood pressure, weight issues, kidney challenges and yeast problems--most have never heard of the product.
Nine Health Benefits of Chitosan:
1.Chitosan helps with Weight Loss: Several studies have demonstrated Chitosan as being superior in fat absorption. Chitosan, depending on the source and quality, can bind from 4-10 times it's weight in fat. That means less fat being absorbed into your system to be laid down as cellulite. One study showed that participants using Chitosan lost and average of 8% body weight in just four weeks. According to the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Surgeon General, most of the top 10 causes of death are attributable to health risks associated with excess body fat.
2.Chitosan Decreases LDL cholesterol: Chitosan lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol while elevating the HDL (good cholesterol) as it binds bile acids in the small intestine preventing their reabsorption into the bloodstream.
3.High Blood Pressure: Chitosan was effective in lowering blood pressure possibly by reducing sodium absorption.
4.Candida Overgrowth (Yeast infections): Candida overgrowth affects millions of people. In one Japanese study, it was proven that Chitosan actually killed Candida.
5.Helps improve Kidney Function: One preliminary study showed a 43% lowering of total cholesterol in people being treated with kidney dialysis who took 4 grams/day for 12 weeks.
6.Chitosan increases the absorption of calcium making it more readily absorbed by the body.
7.Colon Cancer Preventative? When feces does not pass through the intestine in a timely manner (as in the case of colon cancer and psoriasis) toxins build up and get reabsorbed back into the system. One study showed that taking 3-6 grams of Chitosan per day (about 6-12 capsules) for two weeks reduced putrefaction indicators associated with constipation and excess toxin build-up in the bowels.
8.Chitosan provides insoluble fiber in our diets which, these days, are normally low in fiber.
9.Helps with constipation. Because Chitosan polymerizes with fat globules, these globules soften the stool.
Chitosan is comprised of finely ground exoskeletons of shellfish such as crabs, shrimp, and muscles. After being ground up, the shells are processed with deacetylation which reorganizes this insoluble cellulose-like fiber, giving it a positive charge.
Now, fat and cholesterol inside our digestive system has a negative charge. When the positive and negative charges combine (this is a basic law of physics,) it creates a big glob of polymerized fat in our stomach which can now travel though and out the intestines.
How to take Chitosan:
There are three different ways to take this product, and it works better when taken with Vitamin C (500mg. Vitamin C for every two capsules of Chitosan):
1.Take 1-2 capsules/day with your other supplements.
2.Take 1-4 capsules just before bedtime with a small amount of water as an aid in decreasing LDL cholesterol.
3.Take 1-6 capsules 30-60 minutes before ingesting a high fat meal.
We have used Chitosan all three ways. I have a baggie of them in my purse for "emergency eating situations." I use them mostly when I know I will be exposed to saturated fats. Unsaturated fats are good for our bodies in reasonable amounts, but most of our diets have WAY more fat that we really need. It's hidden everywhere. (For more on this discussion, read my Eicosinoid Survey.)
Sixty-six percent of our population is overweight, so most of us know that no matter how careful we try to be, no matter how much exercise we do, how many salads we eat, and how much we deny ourselves of goodies, it only takes one splurge to ruin all of our work.
Chitosan can help us with these occasional poor eating choices.
Notes and Contraindications for this product:
oPeople who are shellfish allergic may need to be careful using this product. Some people may have signs of this kind of allergy after taking the product for several months. Stop taking it immediately if this happens. Other alternatives include Red Rice Yeast and Beta Stitosterol.
oTaken in large amounts, for long periods of time, Chitosan binds up the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. These vitamins should not be taken at the same time as the Chitosan.
oPregnant and nursing mothers should OK this supplement with their health care provider (who hopefully is in the know about alternative treatments.)
oThose with fat malabsorption syndromes should not take this product.
Dr. Denice Moffat is a practicing naturopath, medical intuitive, and veterinarian working on the family unit (which includes humans and animals) through her phone consultation practice established in 1995. She has a content-rich website at NaturalHealthTechniques.com NaturalHealthTechniques.com and free internationally distributed monthly newsletter. To read about eicosanoids, go to: naturalhealthtechniques.com/Diet_Nutrition/eicosinoid_survey.htm naturalhealthtechniques.com/Diet_Nutrition/eicosinoid_survey.htm
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